The Tim Sherwood Thread

[bobzy]

Anyway. My point is not massively flawed. It is a massively valid point when we know that Ilori and Crespo mostly play as central defenders. So do Lescott, Okore, Clark, Senderos and now Richards. You guys can say what you want about squad dept and speculate about making some central defenders play out of position, but this is my take on it. And yes, I feel 7 central defenders is a bit too much. In my opinion.

I was at the Forest friendly in pre-season.  Crespo played at right-back (and looked pretty quick tbh) before getting injured.

Mostly a central defender though, right?

[Stevo985]

Anyway. My point is not massively flawed. It is a massively valid point when we know that Ilori and Crespo mostly play as central defenders. So do Lescott, Okore, Clark, Senderos and now Richards. You guys can say what you want about squad dept and speculate about making some central defenders play out of position, but this is my take on it. And yes, I feel 7 central defenders is a bit too much. In my opinion.

Somebody posted sarcastically saying that there was no point in having a large squad.

You quoted him saying that was exactly your point.

That was what I was saying was flawed.

 

If you think we have too many defenders then that's fair enough. I disagree but I don't think that's "flawed".

What I was referring to was the opinion that you didn't see the point of a big squad.

[momo]

Anyway. My point is not massively flawed. It is a massively valid point when we know that Ilori and Crespo mostly play as central defenders. So do Lescott, Okore, Clark, Senderos and now Richards. You guys can say what you want about squad dept and speculate about making some central defenders play out of position, but this is my take on it. And yes, I feel 7 central defenders is a bit too much. In my opinion.

 

I was at the Forest friendly in pre-season.  Crespo played at right-back (and looked pretty quick tbh) before getting injured.

Mostly a central defender though, right?

FINE! WE NOW HAVE THREE RIGHT BACKS AND ONE OF THEM IS ALSO A CENTRAL DEFENDER! AND WE HAVE THREE LEFT BACKS AND ONE OF THEM IS ALSO A CENTRAL DEFENDER AND CENTRAL MIDFIELDER! Wait! Ilori can also play right back, so now we can count 4 right backs. But it is ok, because he can play anywhere. So it is not crowded anywhere. Really cool. 6 fullbacks is really cool to have.

[momo]

Anyway. My point is not massively flawed. It is a massively valid point when we know that Ilori and Crespo mostly play as central defenders. So do Lescott, Okore, Clark, Senderos and now Richards. You guys can say what you want about squad dept and speculate about making some central defenders play out of position, but this is my take on it. And yes, I feel 7 central defenders is a bit too much. In my opinion.

Somebody posted sarcastically saying that there was no point in having a large squad.

You quoted him saying that was exactly your point.

That was what I was saying was flawed.

 

If you think we have too many defenders then that's fair enough. I disagree but I don't think that's "flawed".

What I was referring to was the opinion that you didn't see the point of a big squad.

Haha! I replied him/her sarcastically, actually.

[heid3ster]

FINE! WE NOW HAVE THREE RIGHT BACKS AND ONE OF THEM IS ALSO A CENTRAL DEFENDER! AND WE HAVE THREE LEFT BACKS AND ONE OF THEM IS ALSO A CENTRAL DEFENDER AND CENTRAL MIDFIELDER! Wait! Ilori can also play right back, so now we can count 4 right backs. But it is ok, because he can play anywhere. So it is not crowded anywhere. Really cool. 6 fullbacks is really cool to have.

Wow.

OK, look: Crespo is a right back. He is also injured right now. So we have three right-backs (two specialists and one "utility"), and one is currently injured. Had Crespo not picked up the injury, it's possible that Tim would have looked to move on either of Hutton or Bacuna. We don't know.

CBs, we have (in what I imagine is Sherwood's preferred order) Richards, Lescott, Clark, Okore (injured, no return date that I know of?), Illori. Senderos is clearly not in the manager's plans. It's kind of like saying Adebayor is a Spurs striker - sure he is, but he isn't going to play.

So what we really have is five CB's, and one of them is injured. I really am not understanding why this is infuriating you so much. We spent the last four games of last season playing Vlaar and Okore in central defense even though both of them were carrying injuries, because Clark and Baker had even worse injuries and Senderos -- I don't know, the rumor going around is that the physios declared him fit and Phil decided he wasn't. Anyway, our performances suffered for these injuries. I'd rather not see it repeated. If that means we have an extra defender or two around fighting for a starting spot - THAT'S GOOD FOR US. What is the problem?

[momo]

FINE! WE NOW HAVE THREE RIGHT BACKS AND ONE OF THEM IS ALSO A CENTRAL DEFENDER! AND WE HAVE THREE LEFT BACKS AND ONE OF THEM IS ALSO A CENTRAL DEFENDER AND CENTRAL MIDFIELDER! Wait! Ilori can also play right back, so now we can count 4 right backs. But it is ok, because he can play anywhere. So it is not crowded anywhere. Really cool. 6 fullbacks is really cool to have.

Wow.

OK, look: Crespo is a right back. He is also injured right now. So we have three right-backs (two specialists and one "utility"), and one is currently injured. Had Crespo not picked up the injury, it's possible that Tim would have looked to move on either of Hutton or Bacuna. We don't know.

CBs, we have (in what I imagine is Sherwood's preferred order) Richards, Lescott, Clark, Okore (injured, no return date that I know of?), Illori. Senderos is clearly not in the manager's plans. It's kind of like saying Adebayor is a Spurs striker - sure he is, but he isn't going to play.

So what we really have is five CB's, and one of them is injured. I really am not understanding why this is infuriating you so much. We spent the last four games of last season playing Vlaar and Okore in central defense even though both of them were carrying injuries, because Clark and Baker had even worse injuries and Senderos -- I don't know, the rumor going around is that the physios declared him fit and Phil decided he wasn't. Anyway, our performances suffered for these injuries. I'd rather not see it repeated. If that means we have an extra defender or two around fighting for a starting spot - THAT'S GOOD FOR US. What is the problem?

The problem is that I expressed my modest opinion on a message board and rude people on here replied with swearing words and insults. I stand by my opinion and cant understand why it is so difficult to understand that MY MEANING of buying players who will not play is a waste of resources. The point of Crespo injured does not make the right back situation a problem. If Crespo, Bacuna and Hutton are injured, you can use Richards. It is fine having a couple extra defenders, but if fully fit you have 7 extra defenders. And there are other spots that is more pressing to address. In my opinion.

[mjmooney]

Who's on first base?

[darrenm]

No, Who's on second base. He's on first base.

[Czechlad]

I see he included N'Zogbia on the 25 list. Same with Gardner. I hope that means Gardner is given a chance. 

[TrentVilla]

Ilori given the number 2 shirt....... just saying....

Edited September 3, 2015 by TrentVilla

[BOF]

You would think that's because it was available. Maybe...

[sexbelowsound]

Don't really think squad numbers mean a whole lot anymore.

He got number 2 because Baker relinquished it this season i'd imagine.

Edited September 3, 2015 by sexbelowsound

[bobzy]

Don't really think squad numbers mean a whole lot anymore.

He got number 2 because Baker relinquished it this season i'd imagine.

Whilst you may be correct, number 2 implies a lot more playing time than, say, number 32.

[lexicon]

But Baker was originally given the number 2 shirt. And Bennett was given number 3.

 

Means sod all. 

Edited September 4, 2015 by lexicon

[Shomin Geki]

Feel like bumping this thread for little reason other than I'm now hugely excited about every Villa weekend and it's largely down to this guy.

Was reading his comments on Ilori on the official website.  That Tim identifies 'quick and elegant' as positives and mentions, once again, how long he has been tracking this guy just redoubles my determination in this whole project working out (I wonder, incidentally, if Tim is currently aware of all the best 14, 15, 16 year olds in the game; cue Kenneth Williams).  Because he clearly has a masterplan.  And he should be applauded for the ambition.  Forging a young, attractive attacking side for the future, risking short term anxiety for long-term flourishing is a Hell of a gambit for a rookie.  It's hard not to be swept up in the bravado.

Which brings me to my main point, I suppose.  Why the ridicule?  Honestly.  It barely seems to make sense.  We appear to have a massively confident and charismatic young British manager, who is by turns deftly cosmopolitan and hard-boiled determined in his tactics, a guy who trusts youth and has a clear enthusiasm in development, who clearly loves the game and is very eager to learn, to educate himself, and to experience the battle scars that will make will a stronger character and manager.  Honestly, what's not to like?  If there was a coherency to the lazy, mean-spirited attacks, as there are with that arch ponderous tinkerer over at Liverpool, maybe I would understand more.  It's a fun story at the very least.

Villa 2015 is a huge project.  One I'm massively excited to be part of.  Surely, after several lean years of making up the numbers, we're contributing to what suddenly feels like a very exciting league once more.  I'm surprised more outsiders' haven't pricked up their ears.  Of course football isn't played on message boards, but nor is what's currently on the pitch the extent of our potential.  Keep the faith.  This could get tasty.

[Shomin Geki]

I should add, how much of the apprehension amongst Villa fans is the huge investment we put into the Lambert Project which never really actually got started?

[VillaChris]

The London-born defender, who was signed from Sporting Lisbon, was also sent on loan to Granada and Bordeaux over the past two years.

The centre back says he is looking forward to continuing his education under new boss Tim Sherwood.

“I know about Tim Sherwood especially,” he added.

“He has a reputation of grooming young players and that’s one of the main reasons why I’m excited to be working with him.”

Tim Tim....first the facials and now this..... 

[Keyblade]

How do you know grooming doesn't mean facial?

[villa89]

Because he clearly has a masterplan.  And he should be applauded for the ambition.  Forging a young, attractive attacking side for the future, risking short term anxiety for long-term flourishing is a Hell of a gambit for a rookie.  It's hard not to be swept up in the bravado.

I didn't like the appointment of Tactics Tim but to be honest he has impressed my hugely over the summer. He has the right idea of getting much better value foreign players rather than trying spend £8m on Tom Cleverly or signing has-beens like Joe Cole or Kieran Richardson. I'm not sure all of the signings will work out but at least he is trying which is all you can ask.

Also it's worth mentioning the huge value of having a manager with ambition and who isn't even considering battling relegation this season. With Lambert his dour, morose attitude and lack of ambition was taking the club into the championship. He did have his hands tied to and extent but he certainly didn't help himself. With Tim you get the feeling that the players are more optimistic that a top 10 finish is possible and that he won't settle for 0-0 draws or picking up a win here and there.

I think we'll be comfortably in mid-table this season and without wanting to tempt fate I think we might finish the season very well (injuries dependant). The lack of a goal scoring striker might cost us though.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[villa89]

I should add, how much of the apprehension amongst Villa fans is the huge investment we put into the Lambert Project which never really actually got started?

I think the apprehension is more to do with the number new signings most of whom are new to the league and the lack of any leaders in the team. If this do start wrong who's going to step up? Will players start to doubt a rookie manager? I don't think we can rely on Richards or Lescott to lead the side as they are both new to the club.